Tempus reborn as Printing Press with a new look

The Printing Press was unveiled at a private reception which revealed how consultant Des McDonald has reshaped the former Tempus Bar adjoining the George Hotel in Edinburgh.

McDonald, a former head chef at The Ivy in London, has moved the main bar into the former seating area and installed a new bar in the former restaurant.

It helps create a more unified venue that aims to attract custom throughout the day. Whether relocating the bar is the right move is questionable, but McDonald believes the redesign makes better use of the three rooms. The new name comes from the printing activity that once occupied the site.

This is no ordinary bar room revamp. It is part of a £100 million-plus investment that private equity owner Starwood Capital is making in its 50 hotels which, apart from the George, includes the Roxburgh and Bonham’s in the capital, and Blythswood Square in Glasgow.

Speaking to Daily Business, David Taylor, chief operating officer for what is currently know as Project 1898, said Starwood is looking to relaunch its hotels portfolio next summer under two new brands which will see the existing Principal Hayley, De Vere and Four Pillars disappear.

“Each hotel will retain its distinct identity,” he said. “We have some of the finest hotels and hotel buildings in the country and we don’t want them to lose any of their personality.”

To mark the opening of the new restaurant, Mr McDonald was joined by head chef Colin Fleming to serve some of Scotland’s literary elite, including leading Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin, Chris Brookmyre, Sue Lawrence, Doug Johnstone, Jenni Fagan and Lin Anderson.